About this role
Job summary
We are looking to appoint a Lead Pharmacy Dispenser to join Hackness Road Surgery, who will support the Practice in dispensing prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
Your job purpose is to be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient operation of the dispensary within Hackness Road Surgery. Working as part of the wider General Practice team, the post holder will ensure that patients receive their medicines safely, accurately and in a timely manner.
Main duties of the job
Dispense prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with legal and professional requirements. Ensure prescriptions are clinically and legally appropriate for dispensing and refer any queries or concerns to the appropriate clinician or pharmacist.Prepare and assemble medicines for patients, ensuring correct quantities, labelling and appropriate packaging.Maintain accurate dispensing records and ensure all relevant documentation is completed.Provide patients with appropriate information regarding their medicines, including directions for use, storage and any relevant precautions.Identify and escalate dispensing errors, near misses, medication-related concerns and incidents in accordance with Practice procedures.Ensure appropriate processes are followed for repeat prescriptions and medication requests.Provide guidance, support and supervision to dispensing staff.Assist with the induction and training of new members of the dispensary teamEnsure staff follow Practice policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).Support the Practice Manager and clinical team with the development and review of dispensary procedures. Maintain appropriate levels of medicines and dispensary supplies.Monitor expiry dates and ensure stock rotation is carried out regularly. Manage the safe handling and appropriate disposal of expired, unwanted or returned medicines.
About us
SSP Health is a private healthcare organisation specialising in the management and delivery of NHS primary care services. It was founded in 2002 by Dr Sanjay Pitalia and Dr Shikha Pitalia and has developed from supporting individual GP practices into a large primary care provider operating across the UK.
SSP Health's model is based on providing centralised management, operational support, clinical expertise and shared resources to GP practices while maintaining local delivery of primary care. The organisation describes its purpose as supporting practices that may be experiencing operational, financial or workforce pressures and helping them remain sustainable while continuing to provide services to their registered patient populations.
Current scaleAccording to SSP Health's current information, the organisation:
Operates 45 GP practices across the UK.
Employs more than 500 staff.
Provides primary care to approximately 220,000 patients.
Has been delivering NHS services since 2002.
Has its registered office at Waterside House, Wigan.
SSP Health describes itself as one of the largest NHS primary care groups in the Yorkshire area. Its practice portfolio includes practices such as Hackness Road surgery, Eastfield Medical Centre and Montague Medical Practice
Job description Job responsibilities
LEAD PHARMACY DISPENSER JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB SUMMARYWe are looking to appoint a Lead Pharmacy Dispenser to join Hackness Road Surgery, who will support the Practice in dispensing prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
Your job purpose is to be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient operation of the dispensary within Hackness Road Surgery. Working as part of the wider General Practice team, the post holder will ensure that patients receive their medicines safely, accurately and in a timely manner.
MAIN DUTIES OF THE ROLE Dispensing and Medicines Management
Dispense prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
Ensure prescriptions are clinically and legally appropriate for dispensing and refer any queries or concerns to the appropriate clinician or pharmacist.
Prepare and assemble medicines for patients, ensuring correct quantities, labelling and appropriate packaging.
Maintain accurate dispensing records and ensure all relevant documentation is completed.
Provide patients with appropriate information regarding their medicines, including directions for use, storage and any relevant precautions.
Identify and escalate dispensing errors, near misses, medication-related concerns and incidents in accordance with Practice procedures.
Support the Practice in promoting safe and effective use of medicines.
Ensure appropriate processes are followed for repeat prescriptions and medication requests.
Liaise with GPs, prescribing clinicians, pharmacists and other members of the Practice team regarding medication queries
Lead and Supervisory Responsibilities
Act as the day-to-day lead for the dispensary, ensuring an efficient and well-organised service.
Provide guidance, support and supervision to dispensing staff.
Assist with the induction and training of new members of the dispensary team.
Monitor workload and help organise staff duties to ensure the dispensary operates effectively.
Promote a positive, professional and patient-focused working environment.
Ensure staff follow Practice policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Identify training needs within the dispensary team and raise these with the Practice Manager or appropriate clinical lead.
Support the Practice Manager and clinical team with the development and review of dispensary procedures.
Stock Management
Maintain appropriate levels of medicines and dispensary supplies.
Place and manage medicine orders in accordance with Practice procedures.
Monitor stock levels, usage and availability to minimise shortages and wastage.
Check deliveries and ensure medicines are stored appropriately.
Monitor expiry dates and ensure stock rotation is carried out regularly.
Manage the safe handling and appropriate disposal of expired, unwanted or returned medicines.
Maintain appropriate records relating to stock control.
Investigate discrepancies and escalate any concerns appropriately.
Support the Practice in achieving value for money while maintaining patient safety and continuity of supply.
Quality, Governance and Patient Safety
Maintain high standards of medicines safety and dispensing practice.
Ensure dispensary procedures comply with relevant legislation, professional guidance and Practice policies.
Support regular audits and quality improvement activities within the dispensary.
Maintain and contribute to appropriate Standard Operating Procedures.
Record and review dispensing errors and near misses, identifying opportunities for improvement.
Participate in Practice meetings and relevant discussions relating to medicines management.
Support the Practice with inspections, audits and regulatory requirements relating to dispensing.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR and Practice information governance requirements.
Ensure appropriate security arrangements are followed for medicines, prescriptions and patient information.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The post-holder will manage their own and others health & safety and infection control as defined in the Practices Health & Safety Policy, the Practice Health & Safety Manual, and the Practices Infection Control Policy and published procedures.
Comply with Practice health & safety policies by following agreed safe working procedures
Actively report health & safety hazards and infection hazards immediately
Keeping work and general areas clean and tidy, and using appropriate infection control procedures to keep work areas hygienic and safe from contamination.
Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
Essential Criteria: Previous experience working in a dispensary, pharmacy or General Practice dispensing environment. Demonstrable experience of dispensing medicines accurately and safely. Good knowledge of medicines management and dispensing procedures. Strong organisational and time-management skills. Desirable Criteria:
Previous experience in a lead or supervisory dispensing role.
Experience working within a GP dispensing practice.
Knowledge of NHS General Practice dispensing processes.
Experience with stock management and medicines ordering.
Experience undertaking audits or quality improvement activities.
Relevant dispensing/pharmacy qualification or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of relevant medicines legislation, guidance and governance requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths Experience working in a Pharmacy or Dispensary practice
Experience Essential
Experience working in a Dispensary practice
Desirable
Working in Primary care
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name SSP Health
Address Hackness Road Surgery
19 Hackness Rd,
Scarborough
YO12 5SD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.ssphealth.com/ (Opens in a new tab)